Review Roundup: 9.7" iPad Pro is a 'Powerful' Laptop Replacement for Casual Users

[Pilgrim1099]

Somewhat irked by the constant "it's not pro because X." And "it's not a laptop replacement because Y." Silliness. Yes it is, or can be for many people, and not just "casual" ones either. So is the iPhone. Things a few years ago we'd exclusively be doing on traditional computers are increasingly easily on portable non-traditionally OS'd devices.

Procreate runs rings around apps I run on the desktop in certain usage scenarios, illustration is a big deal for some heavy "pro" users who'd traditionally be paying through the nose for Cintiqs and other high end gear. (I love my cintiq, but this is different and in my case complimentary.) Adobe's apps are no joke either even if they are relatively fractured by functionality (on purpose). I still miss aperture, but most users get by with Photos. The iPad is one good DAM away from being an incredible photography tool too. It depends what you want to do with it.

It's just an arbitrary preference. Its no different to hardcore Windows users with particular favourite Windows-only apps saying a Mac isn't a PC replacement (or vice-versa)

I'm getting one asap. Not to replace my laptop - I don't really *have* a Mac laptop. I'd choose a pimped iPad over a laptop, at the same price. (A laptop doesn't cut it *for me* even as a desktop replacement..) We all have different devices and requirements.

I don't think it can replace a laptop. For one thing, if you're doing illustration work, you need to export it as a high res image for 300 DPI or higher for print, especially in CMYK or RGB mode. If you have to do the former, you'll have to use the full desktop app to convert the RGB to CMYK. I've not seen an illustration app for iOS do that.

The other thing is the layers. Of course, one could use many layers for an illustration project, BUT if you're doing it in a 11 x 17 size in 300 DPI ( dots per inch ), it could slow down the device. Sure, for photography, it's great to use to browse the images and sort them out. It's one reason why I swear by using the Wacom tablet hooked to my iMac for the 'heavy lifting'.

Procreate is not bad, but as far as I'm concerned, it's not even close to high end programs like Manga Studio. I have the original iPad and it is cumbersome to use now which is why I'm still on the fence between the Surface Pro or iPad Pro. The 'palm rejection' is extremely important to me and being able to conceptualize images or storyboards fluidly is vital. Having a 13 inch screen and 4 gigs of RAM is pretty handy for the 'brainstorming' aspects of the work.

I use Sketchbook Pro on my original iPad because it felt the most natural to me. But I would like to try PaintStorm and Procreate on the Pro device because that would be handy for storyboarding/conceptualization phases.

Even better, when using documents to read or for clients to sign off on.

The iPad Pro is not meant to replace a PC. This is where I draw the line regardless of what Cook claims. I think of it as a 'satellite' device that allows you to do things on the go. The desktop gives me more options and refined control over certain things that the tablet can't do.

 

[warrior2000]

The iPad Pro is not meant to replace a PC. This is where I draw the line regardless of what Cook claims. I think of it as a 'satellite' device that allows you to do things on the go. The desktop gives me more options and refined control over certain things that the tablet can't do.

For you the iPad may not replace the PC.

But for tens if not hundreds of millions it does replace a PC. I have replaced my laptop with an iPad. My wife also. So has my parents. So has my sister in law and my brother in law. And my sister. And my boss. And several of my golfing buddies. Five years ago all of us had laptops. Now none of us do. And looking at statistics from 5 years ago laptops have been shrinking while over 250,000,000 iPads have been sold. Pretty sure a good chunk of those replaced laptops. And with the Pro even more will.

Its time to look outside your little universe.

Of course it won't happen all at once. It took almost a decade for smartphones/PDA's to overtake laptops as the go to mobile device. i expect in 5 years tablets will overtake laptops as a travel computer.
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Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated.

so you are doubting that somethings are better done on an iPad vs laptop?

 

[Pilgrim1099]

For you the iPad may not replace the PC.

But for tens if not hundreds of millions it does replace a PC. I have replaced my laptop with an iPad. My wife also. So has my parents. So has my sister in law and my brother in law. And my sister. And my boss. And several of my golfing buddies. Five years ago all of us had laptops. Now none of us do. And looking at statistics from 5 years ago laptops have been shrinking while over 250,000,000 iPads have been sold. Pretty sure a good chunk of those replaced laptops. And with the Pro even more will.

Its time to look outside your little universe.

Of course it won't happen all at once. It took almost a decade for smartphones/PDA's to overtake laptops as the go to mobile device. i expect in 5 years tablets will overtake laptops as a travel computer.
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so you are doubting that somethings are better done on an iPad vs laptop?

Stats don't mean crap.

In 5 years? Laptops will still be here or hybridized. Tablets are already used as travel devices.

And no, the iPad Pro is not powerful enough to handle desktop class applications. The only way to do that is to beef up the RAM and allow a memory card to expand storage capacity.

I don't live in a little universe and work as a creative professional. I know exactly what goes on in the field and what tools they're using. They're not using iPads for the sake of "Apple Hipsterism" like skinny jeans were.

And I got bad news for you. You have to use a laptop or PC to back up and update your iPad which is far more stable than doing it over the Cloud. iPads are reliant on a PC or laptop regardless.

 

[ValO]

Stats don't mean crap.

In 5 years? Laptops will still be here or hybridized. Tablets are already used as travel devices.

And no, the iPad Pro is not powerful enough to handle desktop class applications. The only way to do that is to beef up the RAM and allow a memory card to expand storage capacity.

I don't live in a little universe and work as a creative professional. I know exactly what goes on in the field and what tools they're using. They're not using iPads for the sake of "Apple Hipsterism" like skinny jeans were.

And I got bad news for you. You have to use a laptop or PC to back up and update your iPad which is far more stable than doing it over the Cloud. iPads are reliant on a PC or laptop regardless.

Sorry, but you have to get a broader view of things.
Using as pc to updates my iPad? Never did this in the last years. All OTA.
But YOU need a specialized laptop, with special software.
I really don' t, and there are lots of people that don' t need a heavy duty laptop or desktop.
For these people the iPad Pro line is the perfect alternative. Pro is just a name, don' t get hung up on that.
For people that need lots of graphics power or xenon cpu' s , there are more expensive alternatives. But they won' t get the surface pro either, even the most powerful surface will be too weak for them.
Gamers will turn to consoles.
Graphic specialist, architects, that really need the power will go to really expensive and powerful pc' s.
The rest will take a cheap laptop and tablet or an iPad Pro.

The traditional PC is dead....

 

[jujufreeze]

Sorry, but you have to get a broader view of things.
Using as pc to updates my iPad? Never did this in the last years. All OTA.
But YOU need a specialized laptop, with special software.
I really don' t, and there are lots of people that don' t need a heavy duty laptop or desktop.
For these people the iPad Pro line is the perfect alternative. Pro is just a name, don' t get hung up on that.
For people that need lots of graphics power or xenon cpu' s , there are more expensive alternatives. But they won' t get the surface pro either, even the most powerful surface will be too weak for them.
Gamers will turn to consoles.
Graphic specialist, architects, that really need the power will go to really expensive and powerful pc' s.
The rest will take a cheap laptop and tablet or an iPad Pro.

The traditional PC is dead....

Sorry, but you have to get a broader view of things.
Using as pc to updates my iPad? Never did this in the last years. All OTA.


I really don' t, and there are lots of people that don' t need a heavy duty laptop or desktop.

The rest will take a cheap laptop and tablet or an iPad Pro.

The traditional PC is dead....

Me: Hey Jim, could you plop those files on a flash drive, I need to take a look at them, thanks.
Jim: No I have an ipad pro, no ports *shrugs* I have icloud though
Me: Oh God. Nevermind.
Jim: Is there a reason this video isn't playing on this website?? Could you take a look
Me: (Thinks: *For the love of). Sure Jim. Hm, I don't know what's wrong. I guess you can't open it (*Maybe If you had a proper computer I wouldn't have a headache right now)
Jim: Hey is there an app for the program you're using
Me: Jim, I really, really don't have time for this, maybe--
Jim: Wait, listen to this song, the speakers are amazing for this form factor, look how great this thing draws
Me: Yes Jim. It sounds great and I like your little smiley face.
Jim: Wait, how do I print this file on our old company printer???
Me: You can't Jim you can can print wirelessly, but-
Jim: *Pushes me out of the way. Whoa! The file management on your Macbook is amazing, can I do that?
Me: No
Jim: *Starts typing on my macbook. Dang your keyboard is super comfy, it seems more functional than my ipads. I like using your trackpad thingamabob too. My arm was getting tired using the touchscreen so long.
Me: Yeah!... (please go away)

 

[warrior2000]

Stats don't mean crap.

In 5 years? Laptops will still be here or hybridized. Tablets are already used as travel devices.

And no, the iPad Pro is not powerful enough to handle desktop class applications. The only way to do that is to beef up the RAM and allow a memory card to expand storage capacity.

I don't live in a little universe and work as a creative professional. I know exactly what goes on in the field and what tools they're using. They're not using iPads for the sake of "Apple Hipsterism" like skinny jeans were.

And I got bad news for you. You have to use a laptop or PC to back up and update your iPad which is far more stable than doing it over the Cloud. iPads are reliant on a PC or laptop regardless.

Again you need to get out of your personal universe.

For millions of people the iPad is the only work computer they need. To deny that is being stubborn and ignorant. And this was BEFORE the iPad Pro came out. With the Pro line even more people will transition from laptop to iPad.

Again that may not be true where you work but it is true in countless of other places.
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Me: Hey Jim, could you plop those files on a flash drive, I need to take a look at them, thanks.
Jim: No I have an ipad pro, no ports *shrugs* I have icloud though
Me: Oh God. Nevermind.
Jim: Is there a reason this video isn't playing on this website?? Could you take a look
Me: (Thinks: *For the love of). Sure Jim. Hm, I don't know what's wrong. I guess you can't open it (*Maybe If you had a proper computer I wouldn't have a headache right now)
Jim: Hey is there an app for the program you're using
Me: Jim, I really, really don't have time for this, maybe--
Jim: Wait, listen to this song, the speakers are amazing for this form factor, look how great this thing draws
Me: Yes Jim. It sounds great and I like your little smiley face.
Jim: Wait, how do I print this file on our old company printer???
Me: You can't Jim you can can print wirelessly, but-
Jim: *Pushes me out of the way. Whoa! The file management on your Macbook is amazing, can I do that?
Me: No
Jim: *Starts typing on my macbook. Dang your keyboard is super comfy to type on, it seems more functional than my ipads. I like using your trackpad thingamabob too. My arm was getting tired using the touchscreen so long.
Me: Yeah!... (please go away)

I have no idea why you are on a personal crusade to bash the iPad. Makes no sense. If laptops work for you fine. For others iPads work better. Why is that so hard to understand?

There are pro's and con's for both devices. It depends on a persons preference and workflow which device would be ideal. Are you so arrogant and cocky to think that you have intimate knoweldge of hundreds of millions of people and that you can say without reservation that a laptop would be better than an ipad for them? I mean are you really that arrogant?

 

[ValO]

Me: Hey Jim, could you plop those files on a flash drive, I need to take a look at them, thanks.
Jim: No I have an ipad pro, no ports *shrugs* I have icloud though
Me: Oh God. Nevermind.
Jim: Is there a reason this video isn't playing on this website?? Could you take a look
Me: (Thinks: *For the love of). Sure Jim. Hm, I don't know what's wrong. I guess you can't open it (*Maybe If you had a proper computer I wouldn't have a headache right now)
Jim: Hey is there an app for the program you're using
Me: Jim, I really, really don't have time for this, maybe--
Jim: Wait, listen to this song, the speakers are amazing for this form factor, look how great this thing draws
Me: Yes Jim. It sounds great and I like your little smiley face.
Jim: Wait, how do I print this file on our old company printer???
Me: You can't Jim you can can print wirelessly, but-
Jim: *Pushes me out of the way. Whoa! The file management on your Macbook is amazing, can I do that?
Me: No
Jim: *Starts typing on my macbook. Dang your keyboard is super comfy to type on, it seems more functional than my ipads. I like using your trackpad thingamabob too. My arm was getting tired using the touchscreen so long.
Me: Ya. (please go away)

You are really living in the " old" world. Flash drive? Are you serious? You can email all kind of files , use Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.
Video not playing? All I can see is the silver light and flash not playing on my iPad.


Oh yeah, you can' t even decode/download movies and music too on your iPad.
Besides that this is illegal, cd's and downloading are also out of commission, you can stream right now in 2016.

Wire printer ?

WTF. I have ancient printers at work and can print form my iPad through the network.

Sorry you have to look where the puck is going, not where it is right now.

All of your objections are based on the fact that you want to use a pc in the way we knew it, because of old connections, wires, interfaces etc, if everyone thought like that the market will never develop and advance. We would have to keep legacy ports for all of your demands.

And there will be a market for traditional pc' s and laptops, but plenty of people could do with " just" a iPad Pro or even a regular iPad.

 

[jujufreeze]

You can email all kind of files , use Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.

Excuse me. What if I want to transfer a bunch of important work files that are 20 gigabytes? You can't tell me a modern high-capacity flash drive is outdated compared to slow cloud file transfer in a public environment.

Video not playing? All I can see is the silver light and flash not playing on my iPad.
Oh yeah, you can' t even decode/download movies and music too on your iPad.
Besides that this is illegal, cd's and downloading are also out of commission, you can stream right now in 2016.

A continuing ed class required flash for interactive content. No file management (vital) or mouse functionality. You could say the "Pro" ipad isn't so Pro.

Wire printer ?

WTF. I have ancient printers at work and can print form my iPad through the network.

Yeah, wire printer in a pinch. Are you telling me USB ports are outdated now too?

Sorry you have to look where the puck is going, not where it is right now.

All of your objections are based on the fact that you want to use a pc in the way we knew it, because of old connections, wires, interfaces etc, if everyone thought like that the market will never develop and advance. We would have to keep legacy ports for all of your demands.

And there will be a market for traditional pc' s and laptops, but plenty of people could do with " just" a iPad Pro or even a regular iPad.

Nonsense. A macbook pro is infinitely more functional than an ipad pro for getting any kind of work done. An ipad pro is good for artists (who generally need a PC too), light productivity and chiefly: media consumption.

 

[warrior2000]

Excuse me. What if I want to transfer a bunch important work files that are 20 gigabytes? You can't tell me a modern high-capacity flash drive is outdated compared to slow cloud file transfer in a public environment.




A continuing ed class required flash for interactive content. No file management (vital) or mouse functionality. You could say the "Pro" ipad isn't so Pro.



Yeah, wire printer in a pinch. Are you telling me USB ports are outdated now too?



Nonsense. A macbook pro is infinitely more functional than an ipad pro for getting any kind of work done. An ipad pro is good for artists (who generally need a PC too), light productivity and chiefly: media consumption.

There are numerous 3rd party adapters that allow you to transfer files onto a flash drive from an iPad. And how many people need to regularly transfer 20GB of data on a flash drive? Again your work is not everyone elses work.

Talking to you is like talking to a brick wall. You just can't get it through your thick head that many people don't need to do the same things you need to do.

You say A macbook pro is infinitely more functional than an ipad pro for getting any kind of work done. Fine. But you are ignoring portability. I can argue that a desktop with 2 huge screen is infinitely more functional than a Macbook for getting any kind of work done. But it comes down to portability. Why can't you get that through your head? Its the same reason why most people carry around their smartphone everywhere they go and not their laptop. Portability. This is the mobile generation. Deal with it.

 

[jujufreeze]

There are numerous 3rd party adapters that allow you to transfer files onto a flash drive from an iPad. And how many people need to regularly transfer 20GB of data on a flash drive? Again your work is not everyone elses work.

Talking to you is like talking to a brick wall. You just can't get it through your thick head that many people don't need to do the same things you need to do.

You say A macbook pro is infinitely more functional than an ipad pro for getting any kind of work done. Fine. But you are ignoring portability. I can argue that a desktop with 2 huge screen is infinitely more functional than a Macbook for getting any kind of work done. But it comes down to portability. Why can't you get that through your head? Its the same reason why most people carry around their smartphone everywhere they go and not their laptop. Portability. This is the mobile generation. Deal with it.

The kids in college classes I have seen don't use ipads. They're using macbook airs or those hybrid PCs. An ipad pro is no different than an ipad except it's bigger, faster, and can use a more precise pencil. Why can't you get through your thick head macbooks running OS X are the perfect combination of portability, functionality, and power to get work done? Using a faster bigger ipad with a pencil thrown in changes nothing.

 

[ValO]

Excuse me. What if I want to transfer a bunch of important work files that are 20 gigabytes? You can't tell me a modern high-capacity flash drive is outdated compared to slow cloud file transfer in a public environment.




A continuing ed class required flash for interactive content. No file management (vital) or mouse functionality. You could say the "Pro" ipad isn't so Pro.



Yeah, wire printer in a pinch. Are you telling me USB ports are outdated now too?



Nonsense. A macbook pro is infinitely more functional than an ipad pro for getting any kind of work done. An ipad pro is good for artists (who generally need a PC too), light productivity and chiefly: media consumption.

Yes, you are right, light productivity and media consumption, that is what it is for. And that is enough for 92% of the people and what 92% Of the people expect from a computing device at home.
So the 92% has to adjust and the 8% doesn't? Or move on, let the 8% get a MacBook Pro and the other 92% a iPad (pro)?
Do you think there are lot of people moving 20gb business files at home?
Come on, you have to work less to get some perspective.

 

[617aircav]

For me it would be a tablet replacement if-

1. I can transfer files to and from a hard drive.

2. I can sync my iPhone to it.

3. File system.

 

[617aircav]

Yes, you are right, light productivity and media consumption, that is what it is for. And that is enough for 92% of the people and what 92% Of the people expect from a computing device at home.
So the 92% has to adjust and the 8% doesn't? Or move on, let the 8% get a MacBook Pro and the other 92% a iPad (pro)?
Do you think there are lot of people moving 20gb business files at home?
Come on, you have to work less to get some perspective.

What about those who want to sync their iPhones to get their music collection, that's a lot of people.

 

[ValO]

What about those who want to sync their iPhones to get their music collection, that's a lot of people.

Yes, because of the cd' s they imported into iTunes , you mean?
I put them on a nas and I stream them to my iPad , now I don' t buy cd' s anymore. I just stream.
If Apple just made HD music available in Apple Music. Keeping my fingers crossed.

But CD' s? Also past tense.....

 

[617aircav]

The music is on an external hard drive, like mine is. Etc. Without a laptop or desktop one could not sync it with the iPhone.

 

[ValO]

The music is on an external hard drive, like mine is. Etc. Without a laptop or desktop one could not sync it with the iPhone.

Are you sure? There are a lot of apps that allow to stream from a nas for the iPhone and iPad. Not just an external hard drive , that is true. But portable media like usb flash drives, etc. are getting stale. And won' t be a part of modern computing. We have cloud services, nas, streaming. These are the future.

 

[Pilgrim1099]

Are you sure? There are a lot of apps that allow to stream from a nas for the iPhone and iPad. Not just an external hard drive , that is true. But portable media like usb flash drives, etc. are getting stale. And won' t be a part of modern computing. We have cloud services, nas, streaming. These are the future.

They still make small portable hard drives designed to store music off grid and stream wirelessly to your device.

So, good bye to Cloud the Unreliable.

To stream from the cloud by carrier speed on a limited data plan is stupid. You have to go unlimited or switch to wifi at home or the office, or cafe to do it properly.

And CDs are still around. They're not going anywhere because they are a tangible form of data that will always be reliably recorded and stored.

In fact, music CDs or vinyl carry more value over time when they become collectible in the market.

Can you actually add value to a streamed music album for your collection such as baseball cards, comics, and other vintage items? The answer is: NO.

Those who own music CDs can import them on their computer and create playlists on iTunes any way they want. Those CDs become assets.

But you don't make money back from streaming or downloading. The minute you pay for it, it eats up your budget.

You could buy a car and sell it later, if you're lucky that the car has appreciable value. But streamed/downloaded data? NO. You should thank Apple for starting this commodified insanity.

It bit Starbucks in the a$$ when they grew too fast, commodifying their products more than 10 years ago and they had to close the stores to scale back all because of the delusional "premium"-fying their business. I should know. I used to work for them. Their arrogance knew no bounds and Apple is repeating that mistake.

If Apple is not too careful, it's going to bite them in the a$$ with all this premium BS especially the Cloud.

Did you know they had to contract with Google to move some of their cloud data over to them recently? That's very telling.

 

[warrior2000]

The kids in college classes I have seen don't use ipads. They're using macbook airs or those hybrid PCs. An ipad pro is no different than an ipad except it's bigger, faster, and can use a more precise pencil. Why can't you get through your thick head macbooks running OS X are the perfect combination of portability, functionality, and power to get work done? Using a faster bigger ipad with a pencil thrown in changes nothing.

A Macbook is still not as portable as an iPad. And that is a fact no matter how much you try to deny it.

And for many portability is a higher priority than power.

Your argument is similar to people who say you should only watch Bluray movies because it has the highest quality. But many people choose Netflix streaming because of convenience. Same with ipads. Many people don't care if the laptop has more power. They want convenience and portability. Arguing like you is like telling someone who uses Netflix that they are an idiot because they are not getting the best possible quality.
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What about those who want to sync their iPhones to get their music collection, that's a lot of people.

Thats the past. Most young people just stream their music now days.

 

[Keirasplace]

For me it would be a tablet replacement if-

1. I can transfer files to and from a hard drive.

2. I can sync my iPhone to it.

3. File system.

3) There are dozens of apps that (3), like "Document 5", especially now that apps can register to open some files they don't own.
1) You can easily do 1 through WIFI (access to SMB drives, cloud drives, DLNA servers, web servers) (with all the apps I mentioned) and with the new lightning to USB adapters you can even plug it with a USB network adapter and get files out that way (if you find WIFI not fast enough).
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Are you sure? There are a lot of apps that allow to stream from a nas for the iPhone and iPad. Not just an external hard drive , that is true. But portable media like usb flash drives, etc. are getting stale. And won' t be a part of modern computing. We have cloud services, nas, streaming. These are the future.

There are of dozens of DLNA servers, like Serviio (free and takes seconds to set up), to watch any content you want on your phone, Ipad, TV at home (and if you set ip up, you can even serve your videos on the Internet). Most of the DLNA servers also do translation from one format to another (which is important if you don't want to have to convert everything to a IOS native format).

Most routers accept usb storage (disks, flash drive) and have DLNA servers too, and can serve DLNA content on the network to.

That's why a high level of storage on an Ipad for media consumption is really not needed if it stays at home.

You can then watch these videos with any DLNA client, like VLC.

 

[jujufreeze]

A Macbook is still not as portable as an iPad. And that is a fact no matter how much you try to deny it.

And for many portability is a higher priority than power.

Your argument is similar to people who say you should only watch Bluray movies because it has the highest quality. But many people choose Netflix streaming because of convenience. Same with ipads. Many people don't care if the laptop has more power. They want convenience and portability. Arguing like you is like telling someone who uses Netflix that they are an idiot because they are not getting the best possible quality.

I am a subscribed user and ditched bluerays long ago. Netflix offers good value, comparable quality, up to 4k on some content, and in my mind video streaming services like Netflix have nearly made blueray obsolete.

For the 100th time. If I were a college student or grad. student (and I STRONGLY suspect young people would share my preferences); they would prefer using a macbook air over an ipad pro. They want a keyboard with OS X functionality, a track/pad or mouse with OS X functionality so they don't get a gorilla arm hovering over a touch-only device all day. Basically I want OS X functionality over using my iphone's operating system. It could very well be that in the future every university expects an ipad pro-like ios device to tailor their lesson plans to and work environments adjust likewise. Maybe your vision is the future.

It just isn't there yet. I'm not so sure it will ever be.

 

[warrior2000]

I am a subscribed user and ditched bluerays long ago. Netflix offers good value, comparable quality, up to 4k on some content, and in my mind video streaming services like Netflix have nearly made blueray obsolete.

For the 100th time. If I were a college student or grad. student (and I STRONGLY suspect young people would share my preferences); they would prefer using a macbook air over an ipad pro. They want a keyboard with OS X functionality, a track/pad or mouse with OS X functionality so they don't get a gorilla arm hovering over a touch-only device all day. Basically I want OS X functionality over using my iphone's operating system. It could very well be that in the future every university expects an ipad pro-like ios device to tailor their lesson plans to and work environments adjust likewise. Maybe your vision is the future.

It just isn't there yet. I'm not so sure it will ever be.

Netflix picture quality is not even close to Bluray. Netflix 4k is pretty close but there is so little 4k content I don't even count it. But the real difference is sound quality. Bluray lossless audio totally destroys the audio you get from Netflix.

The point is simple: People sacrifice quality and power for convenience and ease of use all the time. People are willing to sacrifice the power of the laptop for the mobility of an ipad. That's why we have microwaves and fast food.

In college typing is very important. So I can see why Macbooks would be the choice. But many jobs don't require that level of typing and keyboarding.

I like Macbooks and I almost bought one a few years back. But for my situation I just like the portability of the iPad more. And now with the iPad Pro I'm giving up even less power but with the same portability.

 

[jagooch]

Hardware wise what would make it more of a gap (without turning the Pro into a Mac)? Other than the Retina display is there a big gap between the 13" MBP and 13" MBA?

My guess is if the Air sticks around it will get a chip update and that's about it. Now that Apple reduced the price they're not going to raise it again. The mini and Air will be cheaper options for people who use the device more for consumption than productivity. Or Apple may decide to phase out the Air and just keep the mini around as the cheap iPad option.

Personally I think Apple needs to be pushing the Pencil more. I use mine all the time. It's definitely the best accessory Apple has ever created. I remember showing off my iPP at Christmas time and the Pencil blew everyone away. This is what many had been hoping for ever since the first iPad came out. Every iPP in an Apple store should have a Pencil for people to try out.

But then Apple would gain the inglorious title of 'pencil pusher'


On a more serious note, I stopped voluntarily using pens/pencils/stylus's a long time ago. I don't see the allure the Pencil, so I assume it for people who are older or more artistic than I am.

 

[Keirasplace]

But then Apple would gain the inglorious title of 'pencil pusher'


On a more serious note, I stopped voluntarily using pens/pencils/stylus's a long time ago. I don't see the allure the Pencil, so I assume it for people who are older or more artistic than I am.

In the old days, the pencil was needed to run the UI, in this case it's use is for the actual media creation, or data entry.

 

[StoneJack]

For me it would be a tablet replacement if-

1. I can transfer files to and from a hard drive.

2. I can sync my iPhone to it.

3. File system.

1. You can transfer the files. Use Deskconnect, Airdrop etc
2. You can sync. Apple Music, Photos, iCloud files, dropbox etc all sync automatically with your phone.
3. You have file system. it is in iCloud drive

 

[johnnyturbouk]

iPad Pro is more portable and lighter
Some people like touch screen interface better

Yes light=good, and love to touch interface, agreed, some of us as mentioned about these perceived shortcomings in osx, some would like them, others would not.

ipad has better sound

In context of native sound,there really is no 'better' sound IMHO, they both sound terrible, and i prefer to either use my Yamaha amp, or my headphones.

iPad has a far better screen

I would hardly say it's 'way better'. A small appreciable improvement, and still no way near as beautiful as my 5k rImac or my LG 4K OLED HDR.

iPad has Pencil support, Mac no.

Pencil!!!
I prefer the sciences and am a clinician, bask weaving artistic enterprises that necessitate a pencil have little use for me
To be brutally honest, I've hated every pencil that i have ever used on any slate-like platform. I feel the pencil that came the surface pro 4 is more accurate and feels more el natural than the apple iteration, and i dislike MS a lot, but will give props for the SP3/4.

iPad is instant on/off computing

-instant on/off??? My MBP and RiMac are pure blade PCIeSSDs, neither take any appreciable length of time to wake from sleep, when compared to waking my ipad, albeit touch id has sped thins up to passcode, and is much faster at waking than previous models [and i have had every ipad models since they first launched] but it is not like i wake several minutes for my osx machines to wake, maybe back in 2004, before i switched to osx.

iPad is much better for video calls

Not really, this really can be contextualised by the modus of whether additional equipment is used. If one is strictly speaking about native FT, i still agree. However, try a decent camera, and a decent external mic juxtaposed with a large 20" 4k IPS screen hooked up to my MBP, no comparison. Talking to the monster-in-law has never been so frightful.

The MBP can:
- handle true multitasking; i can run windows, linux, chrome safari, each with multiple tabs, and rapidly switch between desktops, much faster than the ipad.
- run windows 10 [] and linux []
-runs much more power consuming apps, and can run full native apps
-has finder and allows a true multifaceted and elborate and textured structures of files.
-spotlight is so much more effective on osx than ios
-all the advantages of osx>>>>>>ios
-LAN connection to my fibre broadband, when you live in a flat in a large uk city, with a quadrillion other people living close by utilising precious bandwidth, LAN via a gigbit switch has revolutionise my home network. I even experimented with wireless AC, and found LAN more consistent and reliable all round.
- Can run any background live wallpaper that i fancy, without spending aeons searching optimising decent background apps. I have yet to find a wallpaper on the iPad that can rival the likes of
Magic Window 4K - Timelapse Wallpaper & Screen Saver By Jetson Creative LLC
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/magic-window-4k-timelapse/id689569987?mt=12
- office on the ipad with a steadfast keyboard cover can really add a new dimension to productivity, but for complex wordprocessing, or extensive excel spreadsheets, my MBP and office is still far superior and more efficient.
-I have all my local files stored on a q-syn server on my home NAS, this means i can access any document, open, save, close and it is instantly stored with the amended changes across numerous devices, without storage limitations and the process is incredibly quick. When using QfileHD, as compared to windows or osx, the absence of an inherent file system explorer like finder,and going through the process of downloading a file to my iPad, making changes in a subsequent programme, then re-uploading, is so much more inefficient and cumbersome in ios than osx/windows, that i gave using Q sync with my ipad. Unfortunately, after much reserach and desperation on the forums, the limitations do not lie with the gfile app, but the inherent limitations of ios and the ipad.
- Moving large files, especially large audio/movie files is hard a pleasure or simply from my ipad. Thanks to a usb3 on mbp and my NAS, and TB externals storage drives through my lacie, i can move gbs of data with ease.
-I do not edit video or msuic much, but from the little i do, there is no question that osx running native apps are far superior to an ipad.

There is no device that is best for everyone.

Never claimed to make that statement, just objectively stated on the superiority of osx>ios, and MBP>ipad in certain instances.
My ideal set-up would be my Rimac, Ipad-pro, and a smaller iphone + my watch.
I have had every iteration of the ipad from launch, bar a couple, and almost always had them with a keyboard. I currently have the ipad air 2 with a belkin qode pro backlit keyboard, one of the best ever made for an ipad. My sister and my mum have the pros and i can honestly state that i will pass on the upgrade due to the limitations of ios. Furthermore, i hav been using OSX since tiger, and ios since the iphone 3g, and seldom have i ever thought that ios is better than osx.

For my needs, an ipad pro running a variant of osx would be apple nirvana .

But with worse screen, no pencil support and no touch screen. Not dual 4K streams decoding. And a more powerful gpu. Autocad on the MacBook Air or the autocad app on the iPad Pro.
The latter is more up to the task than the MacBook Air.

Just give up about the pro name, I use the iPad Pro at work and at home, and I like it a lot.
Perhaps it is not your pro device, for me it is.

I did not specifically state the air, and i myself use the MBP. For further elucidation and explanation see above.